Xue finished changing Xiao Man's dressing, and her eyes could already faintly see. However, Xiao Man did not make a sound about it.
Everyone outside believed her eyes were beyond repair. She decided to let them be happy for a while longer, giving her more time to prepare other matters.
"Miss, the Prime Minister's mansion sent gifts of condolence, and the Imperial Uncle's mansion sent many things as well. Even the Crown Prince's mansion sent rare medicinal herbs."
Xiao Man nodded, "Catalog all the items and store them properly. Especially the ones from the Imperial Uncle's mansion. I suspect we will have to return them before long."
"Yes, Miss."
"Ying Xue."
"Miss, are you thirsty?"
Xiao Man shook her head, "He, is he arriving soon?"
Ying Xue paused for a moment, then realized, "Counting the days, he should arrive within these two days. If he does, our elder will send word. Miss, rest assured."
Xiao Man's eyebrows curved into a smile, "It's been a long time since I last saw him. I wonder how he is doing now."
"Once he arrives, Miss will see him," Ying Xue said with a beaming smile. "I heard that their doorstep is replaced every three months because it's worn down by the constant stream of matchmakers."
Xiao Man chuckled, "Is he that sought after?"
"Indeed. I heard those girls are willing to come even if they have to pay, just to be a concubine."
"As a child, he was already lovable. I never expected him to become even more so as he grew older," Xiao Man teased with a smile. "Dongfang Wei, are you there?"
A figure descended from the rooftop, landing outside the window. "What is it?"
"The medicine for His Highness the Prince of Qin is ready. Find a way to deliver it to the Prince of Qin's manor for him." Xiao Man handed the medicine over. Dongfang Wei took it, flashed, and disappeared.
As soon as Dongfang Wei left, a figure silently infiltrated Xiao Man's room, moving soundlessly behind her and reaching out.
Xiao Man turned, her sleeve dart aimed at the figure behind her, "Do you think I'm easily bullied just because I can't see?"
Yu Qianmo shifted his body, but Xiao Man's sleeve dart followed, pointing at his vital spot. He gave an awkward laugh, "Eldest Miss, we are old acquaintances. Must we meet like enemies?"
"You're here to harm me again!"
"I'm not!" Yu Qianmo said with full conviction, but Xiao Man didn't believe him. "I want to discuss something with you."
"No discussion!"
"I haven't even said what it is!"
"Whatever you're going to say, it's definitely not good, so no discussion!"
"Listen to me first!" Yu Qianmo said irritably. "How about I become your bodyguard?"
"I don't need one. I have Dongfang Wei!"
"Dongfang Wei is a blockhead, very clumsy. I'm much more capable than him. Look, I snatched the Phoenix Pearl right from his hand. He chased me all the way, and if it weren't for you, he wouldn't have caught me. So, do you want to consider hiring me as your bodyguard?"
"Not considering it!" Xiao Man refused without hesitation.
"Why? I'm clearly better than Dongfang Wei!"
"Dongfang Wei has a better reputation, is more trustworthy, and has fewer enemies. I don't have to worry about his enemies coming to seek me out and implicating me."
Yu Qianmo was speechless. He did have quite a few enemies. He was chased wherever he went, but it wasn't as if he wanted to.
"Let's put it this way, what would it take for you to let me be your bodyguard?"
"Go ask Dongfang Wei. If Dongfang Wei agrees, then I'll let you stay." Xiao Man said playfully.
Yu Qianmo let out a scream. If he showed his face to Dongfang Wei, let alone agree, Dongfang Wei wouldn't even give him a chance to speak!
"No discussion?"
"Hmm, unless Dongfang Wei agrees, there's no discussion."
"We'll see!" Yu Qianmo left this parting remark and floated away. However, as he reached the doorway, a leg stretched out and tripped him. He fell out of the room and rolled into the courtyard, followed by a barrage of kicks and punches. Yu Qianmo fled almost in disarray.
"Come again, and we'll break your legs!" Ying Xue gritted her teeth. She had long suspected this fellow's ill intentions as he loitered outside, causing the young lady to get injured. He deserved to die!
Xiao Man chuckled upon hearing the commotion outside. "Yin Zhu."
"Your servant is here."
"Do you know the Fourth Concubine?" It was only today, in the upper courtyard, that Xiao Man realized she had overlooked someone – the Fourth Concubine.
The Fourth Concubine rarely left her courtyard. She didn't vie for favor or power. Even when Madam Yan was alive, she never troubled her.
Today, if the Fourth Concubine hadn't spoken up, she would have almost forgotten that such a person existed in the manor.
But it was the Fourth Concubine's words today that caught her attention. The Fourth Concubine always adhered to the principle of listening more and speaking less, avoiding speaking whenever possible, and mostly observing from the sidelines. Today, however, she spoke up for Granny Shen, which was interesting.
"I don't know her very well," Yin Zhu thought carefully. "I heard that before coming to the General's manor, the Fourth Concubine was a dancer at the Immortal Melody Pavilion. Her parents died when she was young. Because she performed a dance at the palace banquet, the Emperor bestowed her to the General." Yin Zhu leaned closer to Xiao Man. "They say the Fourth Concubine dances exceptionally well, capable of captivating a city with a single performance."
"Such a capable woman, yet she attracts so little attention in our manor. If not for her speaking up today, I would have almost forgotten that such a person existed here." Xiao Man said softly. "Our Fourth Concubine here is quite patient."
"Miss, should we investigate?"
"Leave this matter to Ying Xue. As for you, just keep an eye on the manor's movements for me."
"This is my specialty." Yin Zhu usually enjoyed interacting with the maids and servants, listening to their gossip, and extracting useful information. Xiao Man always felt that Yin Zhu was being wasted in this small courtyard.
When Dongfang Wei broke into the Prince of Qin's manor, he alerted the manor's hidden guards. If not for the four main guards of the Prince of Qin recognizing the young master of the Dongfang family, Dongfang Wei would have been in serious trouble.
"Young Master Dongfang, what business do you have at the Prince of Qin's manor?"
"Delivering medicine!" Dongfang Wei said coldly. "Is the Prince of Qin not here?"
"Let him in," Nangong Yu's voice echoed. Si Ye immediately stepped aside, opening the door to let Dongfang Wei in.
Dongfang Wei strode in, placed a bottle of medicine on the table, "Xiao Man sent this. Farewell."
Nangong Yu looked at the medicine bottle on the table, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "Thank you."
Dongfang Wei let out a cold snort and leaped away, showing no regard for the Prince of Qin's guards.
Si Ye choked. Xiao Man doesn't care about us, and you dare not care about us either. We'll see, you'll pay for this one day!